This book was in my wishlist for last year's Global Challenge, but I only managed to buy it this year at Kinokuniya, KLCC. My verdict? BRILLIANT!!!
The book is part science, part historical study, 100% philosophical. It is set in the future, when the World has plunged into biological warfare, economies crumble and a plague is threatening to wipe out mankind. A group of refugees set up an isolated Republic on a remote island, blocking out disease-carrying ships with a Great Sea Fence and trained snipers along the coastline.
A rigid order governs the island-state - its society is classified into Labourers, Soldiers, Technicians and Philosophers. Children are screened at birth for classification or termination, then subjected to "a rigorous education, both physical and intellectual". Any individuality is stamped out, until Adam Forde appears.
The narrative is an interview for a position in a select council, where the interviewee's chosen subject is The History of Adam Forde. Without giving too much away, this is a philosophical discourse on AI, society and government in a much more readable format than Sophie's World. About halfway through the book I was able to determine the nature, or origin, of the interviewee, but this did not lessen my enjoyment of the book. The ending, although not entirely unexpected, was still very cleverly done.
The lesson to be learnt: If you want to survive, stay within the norm.
